Pickleball, similar to volleyball and basketball, is a court sport, and has comparable demands to both sports, but also peculiarities all its own. At WearTesters, our expert reviewers test hundreds of shoes each year, and now, due to the surge in the popularity of the sport, we have a team dedicated to identifying the best Pickleball shoes out there.
Pickleball shoes have to provide similar performance attributes to basketball shoes but with less emphasis on jumping/landing. Grippy traction, adequate impact protection, performance-driven materials, good support features, and a nice 1-to-1 fit are all important. But we’re also looking for other attributes. Lateral containment and grip are top priority, as well as reactive cushioning and support features. You’ll need both to speedily get you from one side of the court to the other.
All of the shoes featured on this list excel in these aspects, and simply put, are the best pickleball shoes on the market. We regularly update this page to feature the highest-performing, currently available pickleball shoes. The shoes listed are in no particular order. Check back any time you’re looking to buy new pickleball shoes.
Updated 1.14.2025
Best Pickleball Shoes Show
Best Pickleball Shoes Overall
Skechers Viper Court Pro
The Skechers Viper Court Pro is most certainly a bar-setter when it comes to pickleball shoes. The shoe’s weight is below average which helps to keep you nimble but it’s also a very durable pickleball shoe no matter the surface you play on. At a retail price of $115, the Viper Court Pro is a great value and it’s one of those shoes you wouldn’t mind owning multiple pairs of. Look out for this shoe to show up on more feet at your local court as the sport continues to grow. Price: $109. Read the full review.
New Balance Coco CG1
The New Balance Coco CG1 is simply a high-performance shoe that will do well on all courts. The Coco CG1 knocks it out of the park in terms of performance. The aesthetics created from the multi-layer mix of functional materials make it a well-designed silhouette as well. If you don’t mind higher-cut shoes or think that you could get used to them, we absolutely recommend the New Balance Coco CG1 as a pickleball or tennis shoe. Price: $170. Read the full review.
Diadem Court Burst
The Diadem Court Burst nails nearly everything, not only as a pickleball/tennis shoe but as the brand’s first shoe in general. When you first unbox your pair of Diadem Court Bursts you probably won’t be blown away, but fortunately, the Court Burst’s solid performance on court will have you excited for Diadem’s future in footwear. $150 is a little steep for the Court Burst’s included technology, but from a reliability perspective, anyone taking a chance on the Diadem Court Burst will find high value. Price: $150. Read the full review.
Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD
The Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD is so close to checking all the boxes in terms of performance. A better fit might make this the best pickleball shoe on the market, but this is the one area it misses the mark. Start with a half-size up unless you have a very narrow foot. The Accelerate Nitro SQD is about as minimal as it gets without sacrificing performance. It almost performs like a barefoot athletic shoe with a sprinkle of lateral, heel, and torsional support atop a well-balanced cushioning system that meets the demands of pickleball. Price: $155. Read the full review.
New Balance 996v6
Just like the New Balance 996v5, you can’t deny the “lace up and forget about it” factor that the 996v6 brings to the table after a bit of break-in. If you played in the V5, you will appreciate the added step in comfort along with its responsiveness. Players looking for a functional pickleball shoe that can handle a good chunk of wear and tear throughout the year should enjoy the 996v6, especially with multiple-width options available. While the V6 isn’t an overall improvement over its previous version, it’s still a shoe that performs well. The New Balance 996v6 is a very solid pickleball shoe. Price: $135. Read the full review.
Nike Zoom Challenge PB
Performance-wise, the Nike Zoom Challenge PB is a successful entry from the brand into the pickleball footwear market. It’s simplistic yet thoughtful in design, especially when considering the lateral containment and overall support the shoe offers. Though you may generally prefer pickleball shoes with a touch more court feel, the Nike Zoom Challenge provides enough, and the way the shoe fits and cups the foot makes these a pleasure to play in. It’s a great time to be playing pickleball as the largest sneaker and apparel brands in the world continue to invest in new options. Price: $120. Read the full review.
Best Outdoor Pickleball Shoes
Reebok Nano Court
It doesn’t get much better than the outdoor-friendly, aggressive herringbone traction pattern of the Reebok Nano Court, and it offers elite durability. The rubber compound, Griptonite as Reebok calls it, is made for the toughest of courts and holds up very well. Fit can be tricky and it’s a relatively heavy shoe, but all around, it’s a great outdoor option. Price: $120. Read the full review.
Best Budget Pickleball Shoes
Skechers Viper Court Pro
The Skechers Viper Court Pro is the best pickleball shoe overall, and it just happens to be very affordable as well, so it had to be our top pick as far as budget pickleball shoes go as well. Price: $109. Read the full review.
Thinking of a shoe we should add to the best pickleball shoes list? Comment below or message us on Instagram or Twitter.
